Twelve projects recently received funding of $708,625 to help grow Michigan's food and agriculture businesses.

The competitive grants are through the Value Added and Regional Food System Grant Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

"The awarded proposals reflect the diversity and opportunities within Michigan's $101 billion food and agriculture industry," says MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams. "These projects illustrate the critical role the food and agriculture sector plays in our state's economic reinvention, and existing local business expansion while strengthening Michigan's impact in the global marketplace."

Michigan food and agriculture businesses benefit from MDARD grants

The department received 52 proposals with requests totaling $3 million. Of those, MDARD awarded the following projects:  

• Boss Mouse Cheese, of Kingsley - $75,000
  Expansion and renovation of their artisan cheese making facility.
• Byrne Family Farm, LLC, of Attica - $38,223
  Expansion of hydroponic lettuce and culinary herb production using vertical farming with LED grow lights. 
• C3 Seeds, of Niles -  $74,250
  Development of a seed cleaning facility. 
• Corey Lake Orchards, of Three Rivers - $48,352
  Expanding and increasing production and promotion of Michigan wine, spirits, and hard cider. 
• Corpolongo Smith Farm, LLC, of Ontonagon - $37,792 
  Expansion of the production of minimally processed produce and dehydrated snack foods in the Upper Peninsula. 
• FarmLink, of Grand Rapids - $73,197
  Expansion project to increase their web-based wholesale food exchange.
• Fenn Valley Vineyards, of Fennville - $75,000 
  Enhancement of their fermentation capacity and apple cider processing. 
• Indian Brook Trout Farm, Inc., of Jackson - $75,000
  Expansion of a larger and diversified market for Michigan fish.
• Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, of Houghton - $47,287
  Evaluate the methods for a cost effective harvesting and drying solutions for small-scale hops growers. 
• King Orchards, of Central Lake - $75,000
  Expansion of bottling and labeling equipment to expand export markets. 
• Potawatomi Resource Conservation & Development Council, of Marshall - $14,524 
  Expansion of Black Walnut production in Michigan. 
• Purity Foods, of Hudson - $75,000
  Expand their facility to add the capability to sprout, dry and malt specialty grains.

MDARD promotes and manages several competitive grant programs through the Office of Agriculture Development.  More about these programs can be found on MDARD's website: www.michigan.gov/mdard.